The Back of the Napkin

by Dan Roam

🕐 Reading time: 4 - 6 hours

Order book on Amazon

🔖 Summary:

Dan Roam, in his book The Back of the Napkin, explains that sometimes it's best to use drawings to explain complex ideas. He highlights that you don't need to be an artist to create a picture that helps others understand what you're talking about. Simple sketches can convert big, confusing problems into clear, manageable ideas, much like sketching on the back of a napkin during a conversation.

The author stresses that visuals are powerful because they amplify our communication. He presents a step-by-step method for turning ideas into pictures, dividing them into six types of pictures that suit different problems, ranging from basic shapes to more detailed diagrams, depending on what you need to explain.

The book reminds us that drawing is about solving problems, not achieving perfection. Roam encourages everyone to pick up a pen and illustrate their thoughts to bring ideas to life.

💡 Why worth reading?

Will help you explain complex ideas by learning how to simplify them through drawing.

Will help you engage your audience by learning how to use visuals that everyone can understand.

Will help you think more clearly by learning to break down problems into visual steps.

Will help you solve problems faster by learning how to visualize different aspects of a challenge.

Will help you communicate better by learning how to turn abstract ideas into pictures.

🔖 What people say about "The Back of the Napkin"?

"In this book Dan Roam teaches something important. He takes a bunch of things we sort-of, tangentially know, and clarifies them into a coherent, useful system. Visual thinking is a way of looking around, processing, and showing people stuff. Using these tools will make you a good visual thinker, and thus a good presenter. Communicating is about showing people what you see, without visual communication, you won't do it right."